NovelEnglishChapter 251 Seeing Penelope standing at her front door was the last thing Serena expected.
"Serena..." Penelope hurried over, her eyes filled with guilt as she drew close. "I'm sorry. I never wanted things to end up like this." Serena's voice was cool and measured. "Can you drop the act for once?" Penelope looked up, startled by the coldness in Serena's tone.
Only then did she realize: the little girl who'd once barely reached her thigh could now look her dead in the eye-if not look down at her.
Ignoring Penelope's searching gaze, Serena spoke with biting clarity. "You've been wearing that smask your whole life. Always acting as if Dad forced you into this marriage, like you were spoor victim. But the truth? When Dad cto propose, you agreed. Nobody forced you." "And every tyou pretended to stand up for me, you were really just looking out for Bella Brooks. Don't think I never noticed." "You say you never wanted any of this-what, did someone hold a gun to your head and make you draginto court?" Penelope's composure crumbled, her face going pale.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"So sparethe performance. It just makessick." Serena finished, turning to head into the building. Penelope dropped the façade entirely. She reached out, grabbing Serena's arm in desperation. "Serena, please listen. I know you resent me, but there's something you need to hear-something I have to explain." Serena frowned. "Penelope, let go of me." "Just listen. Bella toldwhat happened in the restroom that day-you're not a murderer, Serena. You can't let yourself feel guilty about this." "And back then, when your father chome... That was his choice. It had nothing to do with your birthday." Serena froze.
Her mind spun, memories suddenly clicking together like scattered puzzle pieces forming a whole.
It took her a moment to force out any words, her throat feeling tight and raw. "What did you say?" "Your father's accident-it wasn't your fault. It had nothing to do with you. Please, don't carry that burden." Serena blinked rapidly, her eyes stinging. The more she tried to fight it, the hotter the tears burned.
"Serena... Serena..." She turned slowly, staring at Penelope with a look that was equal parts disbelief and bitterness.
"Get out." Penelope's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Serena, her voice trembling, "Serena....." The sight of Penelope's false sympathy only made Serena fee et sicker She pressed a hand to her chest, her words cold as ice.I said get out." "Okay, I'll go don't be angry, and please, don't blyourself. I'm leaving right now!" Penelope hurried away, glancing back anxiously as she went. Only when she saw Serena nearly collapse barely able to stay on her feet-did she finally drop the worried act. Her eyes went cold, all warmth gone.
Serena stood on the spot.
The wind whipped across her face.
But she couldn't feel a thing.
to warmth Her thoughts swirled in a fog, memories muddled and indistinct.
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It was as if the gusts of wind were blowing away the haze inside hem mind, slowly revealing the truth beneath. The year her father died in that car accident, Serena had just started elementary school.
No matter how busy he was, her dad had always chto celebrate her birthday. After Xander started his business, he got even busier so busy that Serena only saw him on holidays. As a child, she'd counted down the days until the next school break, just to see him.
But that year, out of the blue, her Lake.
father called and said he might not make it hfor her birthday. Could they celebrate another day? At that point, it had already been more than six months since she'd seen him.
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